COLLABORATIONAlthough no organization can operate in a vacuum, traditional community-based organizational (CBO) structure has been focused in that direction. Research has now supported the benefit of collaboration across organizations and partnerships between CBP's and government agencies. Collaboration can best be defined as two or more organizations or agencies coming together to work toward a common goal, vision or mission. These separate entities are referred to as stakeholders. The process of collaboration is intended to guide the stakeholders towards a shared model for communication, information, resources, and authority.
Engaging organizational stakeholders in change efforts reduces challenges, and leverage the strengths of service delivery. Organizational collaboration will provide a comprehensive and integrated array of services that can not be provided by a single organization. This will greatly enhance an ex-offenders ability to successfully reintegrate within his/her community. Successful reintegration of an ex-offender translates into greater public safety. This process is accomplished in several stages as follows:
- Identify Partners
- Partnership Development
- Partnership Structure
- Develop Plans
- Engage Communication with Key Stakeholders
- Develop collaborative plans
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